Roadrunners streak to 12th consecutive victory on Saturday

SAN ANTONIO — Led by four players in double-digit kills, the UTSA volleyball team overpowered Stephen F. Austin in four sets (25-17, 22-25, 25-12, 25-21) on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

The Roadrunners (19-9, 13-1 SLC) won their 12th consecutive match and clinched the West Division title.

Redshirt sophomore Kelsey Schwirtlich recorded 48 helpers and guided the Birds to a .367 attack percentage, while junior Kelsey Jewasko collected a match-best 26 digs and senior Megan Schauffele added 15 in her final home match.

UTSA started strong by gaining the first three points of the match. The Birds increased their lead to six (17-11) after a winner from Mason. UTSA pushed its advantage to eight (22-14) from there and, following back-to-back Stephen F. Austin winners, the Roadrunners won three of the next four points to claim the opening frame. Rowland racked up seven winners, while Mason posted five.

The Birds rallied to take a one-point lead (17-16) in the following frame, but the Ladyjacks battled back to reclaim a three-point lead. UTSA answered with three of its own to know the set at 22, but SFA pulled away with another three-point run to even up the match. Daron fueled the triumph with six winners.

UTSA jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the third stanza, capped off by a Rowland service ace. After the Birds increased their advantage to 10, the Ladyjacks pulled within seven, but a 5-2 spurt by the Birds pushed the lead back to double digits and cruised from there. The Roadrunners attacked at a .419 clip and limited Stephen F. Austin to a .029 hitting percentage in the frame.

Trailing by six (19-13) in the fourth set, UTSA reeled off nine straight points, including a pair of service aces from sophomore Andee Josserand to take a 22-19 lead. The Roadrunners then won three of the next five points, capped by a Mason slam, to claim their first regular season sweep of the Ladyjacks in a decade.

The Roadrunners will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 11, when they take the short trip to San Marcos to play I-35 rival Texas State (17-11, 10-4 SLC). First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Straham Coliseum. The Bobcats are the last squad to defeat UTSA, a feat they accomplished in four sets back on Sept. 25.